Vaccines and Cochlear Implant Patients

Cochlear implant recipients should receive all the recommended routine vaccinations appropriate for age according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annual immunization schedule. These patients are at greater risk for meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b. In addition, they are at increased risk of developing bacterial meningitis during influenza infection. The CDC guidelines stress the importance of vaccination against all these agents in implanted patients. Of critical importance is prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection with pneumococcal vaccines, both conjugates and polysaccharide. When feasible, recommended vaccinations should be given prior to implantation.